Chapter 66: A Rendezvous

Yu Xianrong left the pond but did not return to the banquet hall. Instead, she continued to stroll around with great interest. Unfortunately, whenever she encountered areas like rockeries or stairs—places where accidents could easily happen—Qiao San and Qiao Si would appear, making it impossible for her to implement her plan.

Even as the banquet was drawing to a close, Yu Xianrong still hadn’t found an opportunity to stage an “accidental injury.” Now, on her way back to the banquet, this was her only remaining chance. She quickly signaled Vanilla with her eyes. This was her last resort, and she had to seize the moment.

“Sister, are you heading back to the banquet? I’m lost; could you take me along?” Xiao Yao blinked her big eyes at Yu Xianrong, exuding a naturally pitiable appearance without needing to feign it. Xiao Yao thought it would be best if she personally escorted Yu Xianrong back to the banquet. Otherwise, the strange feeling that something ominous was about to happen wouldn’t stop lingering in her mind.

Looking at the suddenly appearing little girl, Yu Xianrong wanted to refuse, but before she could utter a word, the girl had already walked over with a warm smile, squeezing past Vanilla and grabbing Yu Xianrong’s hand. While walking, she advised, “Walk slowly. Don’t fall. The ground here has a layer of dirt over sharp stones. If you trip, you’ll land face-first and turn into an ugly girl. Sister, you’re so pretty; you must be careful.”

Startled by Xiao Yao’s hand grasping hers, Yu Xianrong involuntarily trembled. Could it be that the girl had seen through her intentions and was warning her?

Upon carefully observing Xiao Yao’s eyes, however, Yu Xianrong dismissed the thought. How could a five- or six-year-old girl know anything? Besides, her gaze was as clear as a spring, full of innocence and naivety.

“Our family’s little dog is covered in fleas, and it passed them on to the sheep and cats. Now the ground is crawling with them everywhere. Speaking of which, I feel a bit itchy. Sister, don’t you feel itchy too?” Xiao Yao kindly reminded her.

“Ah, Miss… I…” Vanilla, like most girls, abhorred fleas and insects. She jumped at the suggestion, suddenly feeling itchy all over, as if something had indeed crawled onto her body.

Yu Xianrong instinctively shook off Xiao Yao’s hand and looked down to check. As she hesitated over whether to believe the girl’s words, Xiao Yao habitually tugged at her hair bun. Don’t all girls fear these things? Or was Miss Yu an exception?

However, Xiao Yao’s action carried a different meaning to Yu Xianrong and her maid. They were convinced that fleas were crawling on the little girl’s head and hurriedly left the scene. Yu Xianrong ran toward the hall, completely abandoning any thoughts of lingering.

“Do you think there were really fleas?” Xiao Hui asked doubtfully.

“Of course not! That was just something our miss made up to scare her. How could we possibly have such things in our house?” Xiao Fu replied, giving Xiao Hui a look as if she were a fool. Serving their mistress for so long, she still couldn’t distinguish between her truthful and false words?

Still, how did the miss come up with such an idea? Xiao Fu couldn’t help but admire her mistress for her intelligence and quick thinking.

Xiao Yao was confident that once Yu Xianrong returned to the banquet, her mother would ensure she was safely escorted out of the house.

Soon after, the birthday banquet concluded successfully, and the guests began to leave one after another.

It was one of the rare occasions where Prince Jing stayed through the entire event. Not only did he enjoy drinks with his ministers, but he also struck up a pleasant conversation with the famous Xiao Jingyan from the capital. Their discussion grew increasingly engaging. Yun Yichen believed that had the banquet not ended, their conversation would have continued.

Prince Jing was the first to board his carriage. Lifting the curtain, he made a promise to Xiao Jingyan, “See you tomorrow without fail.”

“Of course.” Xiao Jingyan nodded in agreement from afar.

Mu Fengwu, too, glanced back repeatedly, hoping to catch sight of the young girl from the Xiao family. However, the Xiao family, both the elders and children, seemed to be present—except for her. Regretfully, he resigned himself to waiting for the next opportunity to meet his little junior sister.

After bidding farewell to Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan quickly disappeared from view. Guests lingering by the entrance could only pity him silently. Miss Yu had pursued the charming and elegant Fourth Master Xiao so relentlessly that he was practically cornered. How pitiful!

When most of the crowd had dispersed, Xiao Yao’s small figure reappeared. She walked hand-in-hand with Mrs. Tong and Tong Minglan.

Mrs. Tong couldn’t help but nag, “Ping’an, what have you been doing all day? Your grandmother only saw you briefly when we first arrived. Come back with us to the Tong family. Jia Bao misses you dearly.”

Jia Bao, the shy little grandson of the Tong family, was always embarrassed yet eager to be near Xiao Yao. Once she left, he would constantly chatter, calling her “Sister Yao” endlessly.

The Tong family was pleased with his growing interest and independent pursuit of proper etiquette, though they awaited the Xiao family’s opinion. They believed the Xiao family would have no objections.

“There’s a family dinner tonight. If Ping’an leaves now, my father-in-law will be upset. I’ll bring her to visit you in a couple of days,” said Tong Mingyu, recalling her father-in-law’s instructions about Ping’an’s future.

Tong Mingyu increasingly felt that her daughter needed a strong, capable future partner—someone brave, responsible, and able to protect her. Unfortunately, Jia Bao fell short of all these criteria. Even if she were amenable, her father-in-law and husband would never agree.

“Haven’t I always said your sister wouldn’t agree? Now you believe me,” Tong Minglan teased, not optimistic about the potential match between her nephew and niece. She believed the Xiao family had their own plans, and her sister would never let Ping’an endure hardship.

Even as she boarded her carriage, Mrs. Tong humorously lamented, “I couldn’t even take my granddaughter home. Now your father will scold me again!”

Ping’an offered her grandmother a warm hug and an apologetic smile. “Today, I must stay home with Grandfather. I have a gift for him!”

Before leaving, Mrs. Tong reminded her, “Visit your grandparents in two days, even if your mother can’t come. I’ll have your cousin pick you up. Do you hear me?”

Standing nearby, ready to help her grandmother into the carriage, Tong Yueying lowered her head to hide her jealousy. Her cousin seemed to be doted upon everywhere—by both the Xiao and Tong families. Heaven truly favored her!

“I’ll definitely come to see you and Grandfather,” Ping’an assured her with a cheerful wave.

Tong Minglan and Tong Mingyu exchanged whispers, which others mistook as sisterly secrets. They were actually discussing hiring a governess for Ping’an.

“Bring Ping’an to the Wen family in three days. Don’t forget,” Tong Minglan emphasized.

“Of course. How could I forget something so important? If there’s anything else I should know, please send word,” Tong Mingyu replied earnestly.

“You should relax. If all goes well, it’ll be a wonderful thing. Even if it doesn’t, life will continue as usual. Ping’an is exceptional and beloved regardless. Don’t pressure yourself—or her,” Tong Minglan advised, adopting a tone of elder wisdom.

Tong Mingyu understood her sister’s meaning. Reflecting on her daughter’s behavior earlier that day, she realized that raising a child requires a tailored approach. Ping’an’s personality demanded stricter guidance, but it was clear she could never relax her guard.

---